I too feel that it is my duty to express my gratitude for the numberless blessings which I have received through Christian Science, at a time when I was suffering mentally and physically. Two years ago I had a severe attack of illness, with very bad after effects. When I thought I was healed, acute lung trouble set in; but this was not the worst part, for soon after I was healed of this, a stubborn liver complaint appeared, and also gout. We went from one physician to another, and thus I had five very noted and good physicians, and also two professors, who really tried their very best to help me, but without success. Other methods were tried also, and although I did get relief, yet I could not recover the health for which I longed. According to the statement of the last physician, an operation was the only means by which I could be helped; but he informed me at the same time that it was a matter of life and death, as I was extremely weak.
Thus I stood nearly on the brink of the grave and was willing to submit patiently to all that might come. There were hours when I really looked forward with joy to the deliverance from this torture, for there seemed to be nothing more for me to look forward to but death, as no human being could afford me help. During all this great suffering I still trusted in our loving Father in heaven, and thought that if it were God's will, I could recover after all; and I was rewarded for my trust in our all-gracious God.
My attention was called to Christian Science by a dear acquaintance who is a Christian Scientist, and it came into my life like a sunbeam breaking through dark clouds. At first I was inclined to doubt whether there could be any help for me; but my interest was roused, and I got a few copies of Der Herold from this gentleman, to read, which gave me new hope, so that I decided to turn to Christian Science. A practitioner called, and kindly explained things that heretofore had been unknown to me, and what a wonderful, to me almost inconceivable, experience I had after the first few treatments! I felt a peculiar stirring up of the system, and I sent word to the practitioner about this experience. She gave me courage and strength by saying that things would surely turn for the better, and she spoke in a tone of full confidence. The cough grew less every day, and the pain in the bowels gradually lessened; the abdomen, which had been very much bloated because of the enlargement of the liver, became normal, and the gout in the arms also gradually disappeared. Before coming to Christian Science I could not lift my arms without excruciating pain;but now, thanks be to God, I am able to use them again as before.
